My water has an unusual smell, taste, or discolored appearance. What should I do?

• A change in your water's taste, color, or smell is not necessarily a health concern. When the flow rate is increased in the water mains near you by someone using a fire hydrant, the water can become temporarily discolored without being a health hazard, and should return to normal with time and water usage.

If the water becomes discolored, it can take several hours for the water to clear. DO NOT run the water to try and clear lines. Give the water a chance to settle back down.

Steps to take to check if water is clearing:

Turn on cold water faucet only

Let the water run for about 5 minutes. This brings the water from the water main in to the house and clears the line from the main to the faucet.

If the water is still discolored, turn off the water and re-check in an hour.

• Typically during the summer months you may experience an odor that can be described as musty, earthy, and or dirty. This is a normal event and is due to natural occurring seasonal activity in the raw water reservoirs. The plant has treatment processes to help minimize the odor.

• An odor sometimes described as “cat urine” can occur when odors from new carpet installations mix with faint odors from your drinking water. If you have recently installed new carpets, the odor should slowly disappear over the next one to three weeks.

Steps to take to check if the odor is actually in the cold water:

Turn on the cold water faucet only and let run for 5 minutes.

Fill a clean glass with water, go to a different room, and smell the water.

• Sometimes changes can be a sign of problems. If you notice an unusual change in your water, call the Akron Water Supply Bureau Distribution Division.

What is that black ring in my toilet bowl?

• The black ring is caused by an airborne fungus. The spores land wherever it is damp and can also be found around the ends of faucets, around leaky faucet handles, and showers.

We recommend 3 applications of straight bleach to help kill the spores and leaving the lid to the toilet down.

How can I find out more about what is in my water?

• You can see the test results of all certified tests performed on Akron’s drinking water by clicking the Consumer Confidence Report link . If you have any further questions about Akron water quality, call the Akron Water Plant at 330.678.0077.

Does Akron add fluoride to its drinking water and why?

• Yes, Akron adds fluoride as required by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA requires water utilities such as Akron to deliver water with about 1 part per million of fluoride for dental health. The EPA regulation regarding fluoride addition can be found at Ohio EPA, section C.1.c. Akron’s water naturally has about 0.12 parts per million of fluoride, so Akron has to add about 0.88 parts per million to reach the required 1 part per million level.

How can I get my household water tested?

• If you have City of Akron water, this water is fully tested to EPA regulations for about 100 different contaminants. It would be quite expensive for an individual to test for every known or regulated water contaminants. Some contaminants require special bottles, preservatives, sampling procedures or shipping containers. If you wish to have your water tested, a list of Ohio EPA currently certified laboratories is available at http://epa.ohio.gov/ddagw/labcert.aspx. Drinking water sources are often tested for total coliforms as an indication that warm-blooded animals are affecting your water supply, and fecal coliforms indicating the possibility that inadequately treated sewage may be affecting your water.

What is the sodium level of Akron’s water as some people are on a low salt diet?

• Akron water has about 50 milligrams per liter of sodium, a relatively low amount. Akron’s water is low in sodium because the source water is a surface supply, not including brackish water, sea water, or softened water.

What is the hardness of Akron’s water? Some water-using appliances such as dishwashers and cloths washing machines advise using the right amount of product depending on the hardness of the water.

• Akron water can be described as mildly hard, averaging about 100 parts per million as calcium carbonate equivalent, and ranging from 55 ppm to 165 ppm.• In “English” dimensional units, Akron water averages 6 grains per gallon and ranges from 3 grains per gallon to 10 grains per gallon.

How can I find out more about what is in my water?

• You can see the test results of all certified tests performed on Akron’s drinking water by clicking the Consumer Confidence Report link . If you have any further questions about Akron water quality, call the Akron Water Plant at 330.678.0077.